Chart of the Day: Economy down, but college enrollment at all time high

Despite the recession era, more 18 to 24 year olds attended college in October 2008 — an all-time high.

Just shy of 11.5 million students were enrolled in either two or four-year colleges that month, according to a study by the Pew Research Center based on newly released information from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The enrollment spike took place only in two-year colleges in 2008. Four-year college enrollment dropped .1 percent in 2008.

In October 2007, more than 3 million 18 to 24 year olds, or 10.9 percent of that age group, enrolled in a community college. One year later that number rose to 3.4 million students, or 11.8 percent of the age group.

According to the Census figures, 84.9 percent of 18 to 24 year olds had completed high school as of October 2008. High school dropouts had reached a record low – 9.2 percent in 2008, which is half the 1967 figure, 19.8 percent.